CHAIRPERSON

Claris Awuor Ogangah-Onyango

Claris Awuor Ogangah-Onyango is a distinguished Human Rights Specialist, Advocate of the High Court, and Development Leader. She brings to the role over two decades of extensive experience in advancing social justice, gender equality, and the rule of law in Kenya and the wider region.
A seasoned legal practitioner holding a Master of Laws (LL.M) from the University of Nairobi, Claris Ogangah- Onyango has a proven track record of strategic leadership in human rights. Prior to her appointment at KNCHR, she served as the Deputy Head of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Kenya, where she spearheaded partnerships with Government Ministries, Constitutional Commissions, Civil Society, and UN agencies to mainstream human rights into national development and governance agendas.
Her key achievements include providing the strategic leadership that led to the development and adoption of Kenya’s first-ever National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. She also spearheaded the establishment of the government’s National Human Rights Reporting Mechanisms and the development of an associated human rights tracking database. A champion for robust and rights-based governance, she developed tools for integrating human rights-based approaches into national statistical systems and provided critical leadership to the Government of Kenya in fulfilling its international human rights reporting obligations.
Her impactful work extends to mitigating electoral conflict, where she led in developing to address perennial human rights violations during elections, significantly citizen protections. She was instrumental in shaping the governments pledges during the 2023 commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which catalyzed several key reforms. Furthermore, her contributions include providing leadership from the UN in supporting the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) process and offering sustained support to various arms of government, including KNCHR, in the effective implementation of the Bill of Rights.

Vice-Chairperson

Dr. Raymond Nyeris

Dr. Raymond Nyeris is the Vice Chairperson and a Commissioner of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. He holds the following qualifications:  PhD in Policy studies and Education Management from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Master in Educational Management and Policy studies from Kenyatta University, Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nairobi, Bachelor of Education from Moi University, Certified Professional Mediator and Corporate Governance course by Centre of Corporate Governance and other short courses by the Kenya School of Government.

He has over 15 years experience in Policy and Governance matters specialising in Public Administration, Dispute resolution, Education management and Human Rights Advocacy in Public and Private sectors. Worked as Human Rights Advocacy Officer and Civic Education Coordinator at Anglican Development Service in North Rift Region. Lectured in various Universities and taught in High Schools. Worked as a Chief Officer in charge of Public Administration and Devolved Governance in West Pokot County. Worked as Executive Member in the Inter-governmental Relations Technical Committee between 2015 – 2020 where he championed the development of Alternative Dispute Resolution and Public participation Policies. Worked as Organisational Member of the World Vision Kenya where he is serving as a member of the Audit  and Risk Committee. Serves as a member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee at the Commission. Dr. Nyeris has the integrity, experience and passion to advance the Human Rights agenda.

COMMISSIONER

PROF. MARION WANJIKU MUTUGUI,EBS

Prof Marion Mutugi who graduated with a PhD from the University of Edinburgh in 1993 is an accomplished scholar.  She has been involved in research particularly at the confluence of biomedical and social sciences and is widely published in the areas of genetics, ethics and human rights.  In addition, she is a seasoned academician in various tertiary institutions, through whose hands have passed many students from the region.

One of her major passions is knowledge transfer of research findings to communities particularly in the economic and social rights. Prof Mutugi endeavours to be faithful to her motto: " what's worth doing is worth doing well" and will add particular value to health, education and environmental rights.

Commissioner  

Hon. Sara Talaso Bonaya:

Hon. Sara Talaso Bonaya is a Commissioner of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. She holds a Masters Degree in Health Management, Policy and Planning from the University of Leeds (UK), a Higher Diploma in Public Health Education and Behavior Change Communication as well as Diplomas in Nursing and Midwifery from the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC). She has served in the Ministry of Health for 21 years in different capacities in the health sector as a nurse, midwife as well as a public health education officer. During this time, she was involved in policy and planning at national level.

Commissioner Sara was later nominated as a Member of Parliament to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) where she served for 10 years. As a Member of Parliament, she participated in the formulation of numerous regional laws geared towards promoting regional integration. Some of her key highlights during her tenure at EALA include: working with various partners in developing a regional HIV Bill and Gender Bill; developing the EAC Peace and Security Protocol; and being part of the Select Committee of 6 (six) to Kenya during the 2007-Post Election Violence. Commissioner Sara is passionate about advancing health rights, gender equality, social justice, regional integration, as well as issues of peace and security.

Commissioner

Dr. Dennis Nyongesa Wamalwa

Dr. Dennis Wamalwa, Ph.D. is a Commissioner with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). He is also a Board Member and the Vice-Chairperson of the Intersex Persons Society of Kenya (IPSK).  Dr. Wamalwa is a governance, community organizer, social justice advocate, gender specialist and human rights defender with a wealth of experience in advocacy initiatives. Dr. Wamalwa is also an associate research consultant with AFRIBA Research Consortium, which plays a part in the social change in Africa. He is a member at Honor and Diligence Support Service, an international consortium of Counsellors and Psychologists offering remote psychological counselling across Africa. Additionally, Dr, Wamalwa has a wealth of experience spanning over 20 years as a Lecturer, Trainer, Researcher and Mental Health and Psychosocial well-being consultant, with various International, National and Local NGOs, Corporates, Government, Health and Religious Institutions. He is a registered member of Kenya Counsellors and Psychologists Association with an Associate Counsellor Supervisor Status.

He holds a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) Kenya and a Masters of Arts in Counselling Studies, from The University of Manchester, (UK) coupled with numerous professional credentials. He has to his credit, 20 publications in referred journals with high impact factors and; he has supervised over 25 postgraduate Master’s students to completion from various universities between 2016 and date.